Kidnappers demand N100m to release wife, housemaid of Ortom’s ex-aide

The kidnappers of the wife, Mrs. Abigail Orbunde, and housemaid, Patience Ogute, of Terwase Orbunde, an ex-Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, have demanded N100m ransom.

Tahav Argezua, a close friend of Orbunde, revealed this in a statement on Saturday.

Orbunde, his wife, and the housemaid were attacked when they had gone to inspect his farm located close to the Genocide Cemetery along Mobile Barracks-Welfare Quarters Road in Makurdi, the state capital, at about 6 pm on Friday.

“The abductors of wife and cook of former Chief of Staff to the Benue State Governor, Terwase Orbunde, yesterday evening have demanded N100m ransom for their release,” he said.

He added that Orbunde, being treated for gunshot injuries in a concealed hospital in Makurdi, said the kidnappers spoke to him at about 8:30 am on Saturday through the captives.

“The former Chief of Staff said his wife and cook were very calm when they spoke with him.

“He revealed that during the attack, which took place at about 6 pm yesterday, the gunmen spoke Fulani among themselves and communicated with him in Hausa, saying they would contact him on the phone.

“The former Chief of Staff said they told him that he should be prepared to send money to them and that if he failed to do that, they would kill his wife and cook,” Argezua added.